{"title":"Understanding Cultural Influences: Principles for Personalized E-learning Systems","authors":"R. Boondao, A. J. Hurst, J. I. Sheard","volume":24,"journal":"International Journal of Educational and Pedagogical Sciences","pagesStart":1289,"pagesEnd":1294,"ISSN":"1307-6892","URL":"https:\/\/publications.waset.org\/pdf\/14349","abstract":"
In the globalized e-learning environment, students coming from different cultures and countries have different characteristics and require different support designed for their approaches to study and learning styles. This paper explores the ways in which cultural background influences students- approaches to study and learning styles. Participants in the study consisted of 131 eastern students and 54 western students from an Australian university. The students were tested using the Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ) for assessing their approaches to study and the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire (ILS) for assessing their learning styles. The results of the study led to a set of principles being proposed to guide personalization of e-learning system design on the basis of cultural differences.<\/p>\r\n","references":"[1] R. Bennett, \"Determinants of undergraduate student drop out rates in a\r\nuniversity business studies department,\" Journal of Further and Higher\r\nEducation, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 123-141, 2003.\r\n[2] K. Franfola, (2007, February 15). Why online learners drop out,\r\n(Online). Avalable: http:\/\/www.workforce.com\/featire\/00\/07\/29\/.\r\n[3] J. Jun, \"Understanding E-dropout,\" International Journal on ELearning,\r\nvol. 4, no. 2, pp. 229-240, 2005.\r\n[4] J. Liu, Asian students- classroom communication patterns in U.S.\r\nuniversities. Westport, CT: Ablex Publishing, 2001.\r\n[5] K. Kuwahara, (2005, November 10-11). Understanding Asian ESL\r\nstudents: Translating school cultures, (Online). Avalable:\r\nhttp:\/\/www.catesol.org\/Kuwahara.pdf\r\n[6] S. N. Smith, R. J. Miller, and B. Crassini, \"Approaches to Studying of\r\nAustralian and Overseas Chinese University Students,\" Higher\r\nEducation Research & Development, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 261-276, 1998.\r\n[7] P. J. Rutledge, The Vietnamese Experience in America. Bloomington:\r\nIndiana Univer- sity Press, 1992.\r\n[8] N. Caplan, J. K. Whitmore, and M. H. Choy, \"Indochinese Refugee\r\nFamilies and Academic Achievement,\" Scientific American, vol. 266,\r\npp. 6-42, 1992.\r\n[9] M. Leung, J. Li, Z. Fang, X. Lu, M. Lu, \"Learning Approaches of\r\nConstruction Engineering Students: A Comparative Study between\r\nHong Kong and Mainland China,\" Journal for Education in the Built\r\nEnvironment, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 112-131, 2006.\r\n[10] Y. Liu, \"Designing Quality Online Education to Promote Cross-Cultural\r\nUnderstanding,\" in Globalized E-Learning Cultural Challenges, A.\r\nEdmundson Ed. London: Information Science Publishing, 2007, pp. 35-\r\n59.\r\n[11] R. M. Felder and R. Brent, \"Understanding Student Differences,\"\r\nJournal of Engineering Education, vol. 94, no. 1, pp. 57-72, 2005.\r\n[12] B. Collis, \"Designing for differences: cultural issues in the design of\r\nWWW-based course-support sites,\" British Journal of Education\r\nTechnology, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 201-215, 1999.\r\n[13] J. Biggs, Student Approaches to Learning and Studying. Melbourne:\r\nAustralian Council for Educational Research, 1987.\r\n[14] J. Biggs, Study Process Questionnaire Manual. Hawthorn: Australian\r\nCouncil for Educational Research, 1987.\r\n[15] R. M. Felder and L. K. Silverman, \"Learning and teaching styles in\r\nengineering education,\" Engineering Education, vol. 78, no. 7, pp. 674-\r\n681, Apr. 1988.\r\n[16] J. Biggs, \"Approaches to learning in secondary and tertiary students in\r\nHong Kong: some comparative studies,\" Educational Research Journal,\r\nvol. 6, pp. 27-39, 1991.\r\n[17] W. Shen and W. Mo, Reaching out to their cultures-Building\r\ncommunication with Asian American families, (Online). Avalable:\r\nhttp:\/\/www.ncela.gwu.edu\/pathways\/asian\/cultures.htm\r\n[18] Y. Liu, \"Designing Quality Online Education to Promote Cross-Cultural\r\nUnderstanding,\" in Globalized E-Learning Cultural Challenges, A.\r\nEdmundson Ed. London: Information Science Publishing, 2007, pp. 35-\r\n59.\r\n[19] K. J. Kim and C. J. Bonk, \"Cross-cultural comparisons of online\r\ncollaboration,\" Journal of Computer-Mediated Communications, vol. 8,\r\nno. 1, (Online). Avalable: http:\/\/www.ascusc.org\/jcmc\/vol8\/issue1\/\r\nkimandbonk.html\r\n[20] A. Levine, B. Oded, U. Connor and I. Asons, \"Variation in EFL-ESL\r\npeer response,\" Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language,\r\nTESL-EJ, 2002.","publisher":"World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology","index":"Open Science Index 24, 2008"}